Within days of the new Florida high school football classifications, the reaction in south Florida was met with the good and bad.
There is no other area in the country that approaches high school football like Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Fans, coaches, players, and administration hang on everything that has to do with high school football in the #305 and #954. There is never a break.
While other areas of the country continue to put their collective chests out when it comes to matching the talent we produce here, the year-round passion that we have is unmatched.
Websites, message boards and much of social media has occupied the headlines since Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Miami Christopher Columbus all brought home state titles.
National Signing Day quickly moved into the rearview mirror as 7-on-7 tryouts and the next wave of talent started to surface.
In the society we have in south Florida, there are no more surprises. Everyone knows the top prospects to watch for in a 2024 season that is still nine months away.
Everyone wants to be an expert and tell you what players you need to watch for 2025, 2026, 2027 and yes, even the freshman class that is 2028. You would be surprised how many lists are made and rankings are produced by people who haven’t even watched all the future prospects perform, but that’s the landscape we live in.
TRANSFER SEASON HAS STARTED
There is no area in the country that has more student/athletes transferring schools that Miami-Dade and Broward. It’s not possible. Last year alone – between January 1 and August 23rd, there were 355 documented transfers that took place. Two counties!!
THE CLASSIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN RELEASED
No sooner did the five area programs come back from Tallahassee and the focus is firmly on 2024 as the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) released the new districts and classes.
Those experts have already picked the schools who will head to the state championships – and for the most part – the rosters are a long way from being finalized.
Here is a look at the schools who figure to be in the mix, although you can pretty much pick the schools who will be standing next December.
1A
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna is looking for an amazing 9th consecutive trip to state. Other programs in the class locally include Miami Edison, Miami Archbishop Carroll and Miami True North.
2A
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and Miami Booker T. Washington will go in as favorites, but you also have Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale), Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace and Miami Gulliver Prep.
3A
This is a really a two-team race. Nobody will stand in the way of these two giants Miami Central and Miami Northwestern.
4A
At first glance, it will be Plantation American Heritage and this year’s runner up Miami Norland. But there are also Fort Lauderdale Dillard, Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy, Plantation and Hialeah.
5A
Stopping St. Thomas Aquinas from winning a sixth straight title is nearly impossible, but Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach and Miramar have been competitive.
6A
Another class that at first glance spotlights Coconut Creek Monarch, two-time defending state runner up Homestead and Miami Southridge. But improvements by Sunrise Piper, Hollywood South Broward, Miami Dr. Krop, Pembroke Pines West Broward (Pembroke Pines) and Doral Academy will make it interesting.
7A
Two-time defending state champion Miami Christopher Columbus comes in as the usual favorite.
But Miami Palmetto and Davie Western will also be there to contend. Weston Cypress Bay, Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman (Miami) and Homestead South Dade will also make a run at a playoff spot.
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 53 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields throughout the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..